HC Deb 08 May 1957 vol 569 cc959-60
40. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will reconsider his decision that the development of coal in Tanganyika is not at present a justifiable economic proposition, in view of the satisfactory results of steaming tests on bulk samples recently made by East African and Nyasaland Railways.

Mr. Profumo

The present demand for coal in East Africa, including the railway, is so small that an assured market for substantial exports would still be a prerequisite for development of the Tanganyika coal fields. On this point, no evidence has so far been produced which would lead Her Majesty's Government to change the view expressed by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General in the House on 25th February.

Mr. Irving

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there are about 280 million tons, and the tests by the Greenwich Research Station and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research show that the coal has a calorific value almost as high as the American coal imported into this country? That means that it would be of immense value to the economy locally and would also save us dollars. If we do not exploit this coal very shortly, American and other foreign capital will wish to do so.

Mr. Profumo

I think that if the hon. Gentleman looked carefully at the capital costs which would be entailed in developing the coal, he would take another view.

Mr. Dugdale

Is it not the case that the Paymaster-General is concerned principally with the use of coal in this country? Are there not many other countries which could find a use for this coal? In particular, could not use for it be found in other African countries? Will the Government take a more farsighted view and realise that there may be a need for the coal, and that it should be exploited as quickly as possible?

Mr. Profumo

I was trying to make the point that wherever the coal was exported, it would have to be exported economically. In view of the capital costs, which would be tremendous, it is considered impossible to do anything further about it at the present time.